1. Natural Resources in the Lakes Region: Regional Stories, Trends & Goals for the Future January 31, 2014Meredith Community Center

2. What is ‘Agriculture’? the science, art, or practice of cultivating the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock and in varying degrees the preparation and marketing of the resulting products http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/agriculture http://www.merriam- webster.com/dictionary/agriculture Photo: Baby Kissing Calf – NH DAMF Photo: BCCD

3. What is ‘agriculture’ in New Hampshire? The definition of agriculture under New Hampshire state law is very broad (RSA 21:34-a). Agriculture includes:  all aspects of breeding, raising, and selling livestock  silvilculture (timber and logging), honey and maple syrup production  crops ranging from vegetables and fruit to hay and seeds  the processing, storage, and transportation of the agricultural products (Source: Innovative Land Use Planning Techniques: a handbook for sustainable development)

4. Who is practicing ‘Agriculture’? Who I think of…. Large Commercial Operations Usually involves the intensive management of a herd/flock of livestock in need of covered feeding stations, manure management, and housing. 65 NH Farms reported over $500,000 in gross sale in 2007. (NH DAMF) Example: Large dairy, Ornamental Plants Photo: Pleasant View Gardens, Loudon, NH Photo: Marston Dairy Farm, Pittsfield, NH

5. Family Farms Limited operation or hobby farm Most of the 4,000+ farms are small, part-time farms (NH DAMF) Agricultural land conversion is of concern when these farms are sub- divided and/or sold.

6. Non-Commercial Activities Environmental Ed. Centers Home Gardeners Schools

7. TRENDS !!! Small Farms (Women owned & operated farms) Diversified Inventory & Season Extension Marketing Buy Local & Eat Local Networking Science Based Operations Methods

8. TRENDS !!! Small Farms Small acreage farms growing for commercial operations! Example: Full Basket Co-op Evandale Farm, Pittsfield, NH – organic chicken and pork products Fox Farm, Gilmanton, NH – vegetables, berries and organic free-range eggs Meredith Center Dairy, Meredith, NH – raw milk, honey, maple syrup, jams, cut flowers Minglewood Farm, Laconia, NH – vegetables, small fruits, herbs, worms and worm castings Twillingate Farm, Gilmanton, NH – raw goat milk, aged goat milk cheese, goat milk soap, vegetables, herbs, herbal tea, jams and preserves

9. Mountain View Grand, Whitefield, NH

10. Small Farms Women Owned and Operated Farms Almost 96 percent of New Hampshire farms are classified as “small farms” by the US Department of Agriculture. As our refugee population grows, I predict we will see significant success for these communities in local food production.

11. Diversified Inventory & Season Extension Seasonal High Tunnels Seed saving, swapping, heritage varieties

12. Diversity continued…

13. Marketing Destination Activities Publications On-line Resources Photo: Beans and Greens Farm at Old Home Day Photo: Nicole Hogan Photo: Beans and Greens Farm

14. Marketing continued … Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Donations to Food Pantries/Kitchens Today there are over 1,500 CSA farms across the United States and Canada. The CSA concept is a growing, viable trend that can be a less costly alternative to buying from supermarkets and great outdoor fun for the whole family. (NHCSA.com)  Photos: Google Images various sources

15. Buy Local, Eat Local Beyond farmers’ markets I am seeing more and more evidence of local farmers and value-added producers making inroads into mainstream markets. From what I’m told it’s not an easy process but some have been able to meet the demand.

16. Networking Grassroots: Barnstead Farmers and Gardeners Network Small and Beginner Farmers of NH Lakes Region Food Network Local Foods Plymouth Organizations: Northeast Organic Farmers Association – New Hampshire NH Farm Bureau Association New Hampshire Made And more! Municipal: Agricultural Commissions Conservation Commissions Lakes Region Food Network An on-going community conversation about the food system in New Hampshire's Lakes Region The Barnstead Farmers and Gardeners Network

17. Science Based Operation Methods Soils: Cornell Soil Health What is soil health Soil Health is the capacity of the soil to function to sustain life. A healthy soil can be used productively without adversely affecting its future productivity, the ecosystem or the environment. Soil health emphasizes the integration of biological with chemical and physical measures of soil quality (used synonymously with “soil health”) that affect farmers' profits, risks, and the environment.

18. Soils: Carbon Sequestration Cover Cropping New Hampshire has 40% of its land area in agricultural soils, yet farms only 10% and imports 95% of its food and fuel. New Hampshire has no significant petroleum resources. To feed and fuel itself from sustainable natural resources, New Hampshire must improve its soils while also improving production. Our mission is to foster a resilient energy and food system for New Hampshire by providing technical education and practical agricultural examples. An educational non-profit organization established in 2006, GreenStart sees food and fuel security as the end-product of a vibrant, sustainable agriculture system in New Hampshire Photo: No till dual operation single pass planting (sunflower, corn, beans) Photo: Assess compaction while you collect your soil samples.

19. Meeting the Challenges Networking Bulk Buying and Collaborations Lobby Land leasing Become involved Your thoughts??? Challenges Regulatory Rising resource costs Non- Ag friendly local ordinances Loss of farmland Food Safety and Modernization Act Aging farmer population Financing for young aspiring farmers